VISIONS & PLANS OF A FUTURE
RETREAT CENTER
The future vision for Jardine Retreat is a small retreat center where people can connect with other people. We plan to build a small multipurpose event space that can be used as a classroom, gathering space, performance hall, recording studio, music jam room and more. There will also be a few small peaceful places outside around the grounds where smaller groups can break out to be inspired in nature to be creative – weather it’s writing a song, poem or story, working on art, or just meditating.
We plan to have a handful of spaces that can either be used as lodging, or a gathering space. Currently on site is a roomy 16’ x 24’ wall tent. Coming next to the grounds is a 20’ diameter yurt. We also plan on building a few small structures for lodging. For larger gatherings, there will always be room for tents and a few campers.
I am Zondra, and I grew up on this property, where friends and family frequently gathered and community was strong. I come from a long line of musicians, and the music parties and jams on this property during my youth have inspired me to create a music retreat center at this same location. My focus on music is not to be the best performer, it’s to use it as a way to connect with others. I am an accompanist through and through and do best when I am supporting other musicians – either by accompanying them, jamming with them or helping them become the musician they want to be. I am passionate about music education, as I believe everyone should learn to be a musician, even if it’s just a side hobby. Music has a magic way of connecting the left side and the right side of the brain that no other activity can do. I would love to spread this magic to as many people as possible. I see multiple ways this can happen here on the property.
Multiple songwriters have had great songwriting inspirations in Jardine. I may not be a songwriter myself, but I recognize the importance of having an inspirational space to write music in. I want to be able to provide that space for writers. A recent addition to the Jardine Retreat Team is songwriter Zach Bender who recognizes the special location as a perfect place to write music and believes in the future vision of this music retreat center. We are lucky to have Zach’s enthusiasm towards the project, and also his strength and ability to do hard manual labor.
I envision a variety of retreats taking place at Jardine Retreat. I may be more involved in putting together retreats for things I’m passionate about, like an old time fiddle campout, or bluegrass jam weekend, but I also am happy to collaborate with other people who can envision other potential uses for this property.
Here are just a few of the ideas we have for potential gatherings at Jardine Retreat:
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A week intensive camp for a certain instrument (ie. Fiddle camp) where we get a great instructor or two whom people would travel anywhere to study with. The week would consist of classes, one on one instruction and various ways of learning of the instrument. We’d also add in some recreation to the week, like a tour of Yellowstone National Park (which is only 5 miles away), whitewater rafting on the Yellowstone River, or horseback riding right here in Jardine.
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A place for touring bands to have some downtime from a grueling cross country tour. Need to take a day off and just relax? Maybe go into Yellowstone or do some other recreational activities? Need to catch up on things you’ve been neglecting while on the road and just need some good Wifi? How about having a good place record some of your latest music? We know that bands need to book more days with gigs while on tour to make things worthwhile, but they also need some rest time. We can help set up gigs in Gardiner and Paradise Valley to keep your schedule full, while also being close to this relaxing place to enjoy some down time.
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Yoga & other wellness retreats
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Massage continuing education. I am a massage therapist and have a massage studio on site. All us massage therapists need our continuing education credits, so why not do it in this nice relaxing place, where you can also visit Yellowstone or enjoy other local recreational activities. I have a fantastic massage therapist mentor who is certified in providing continuing education classes for massage therapists. Let’s have her come teach here!
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Combo retreats, such as: Yoga & guitar playing. Trombone & circus tricks. Locally grown food festival with contra dancing. The possibilities are endless.
When organized retreats such as those mentioned above are not going on, we plan to rent out the spaces individually to travelers passing through the area, visiting Yellowstone. We just started renting the wall tent and camping spaces on the property in the summer of 2025. If you’re traveling through the area and believe in what we are doing, we’d love to host you here. You can feel good knowing what your camping fees are helping build.
If you would like to volunteer your skills to help us build this retreat center, please feel free to reach out via email at info@jardineretreat.com. Manual labor is always welcome, as are expertise in various forms of construction. Plumbers, electricians & carpenters are always valued for their consulting input. We are currently designing the future multipurpose event space, and welcome design input for sustainability, efficiency, sound accoustics and more.